Questioning the ‘Anthropos’ in the Anthropocene: Is the Anthropocene Anthropocentric?

SHS Web of Conferences

Widhianto Agung¹  Kala Mahaswa Rangga² 

[1] Department of Political Science, Umeå University;Faculty of Philosophy, Universitas Gadjah Mada;

关键词: anthropocentrism;    geological epoch;    ontological turn;    realism;    terra incognita;   

DOI  :  10.1051/shsconf/20207601040

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The word ‘Anthropocene’ has been controversial scientific concept, to name a new geological epoch that situates ‘Anthropos’ or ‘Man’ as an actor changing geological structure, altering the Earth system, and also making in unpredictable planetary changes. Criticism of the Anthropocene is based on Holocene's formal ratification rather than the Anthropocene findings. In addition, this paper will argue a realism philosophical approach though that the Anthropocene is not merely scientific speculation. This paper provides an ontological justification for humanity’s causal power in geological time based on Bhaskar’s critical realism and Graham’s speculative realism. This ontological turn will be a ‘new conceptual ground’ to define the Anthropocene without being imprisoned in ‘Anthropocentrism’ and will contribute to other fields, such as social sciences and humanities, to remake their understanding of the Anthropocene. Therefore, the result will be able to strengthen the Anthropocene ratification indirectly.

【 授权许可】

Unknown